4 intriguing possibilities from past VP shortlists

Until Mitt Romney names his running mate, you’re going to be hearing a lot about potential vice presidents. Here are four interesting names that came up in VP discussions during past campaigns.

Eleanor Roosevelt, with Harry Truman (1948)

Franklin Delano Roosevelt had been elected to four terms when he passed away in 1945 and left the office to Harry Truman. When Truman ran to keep the job a few years later, the public was already clamoring to see if he’d consider the ubiquitous Mrs. Roosevelt as a running mate. “Why of course, of course,” he replied, “What do you expect me to say to that?”

In 1947, the North Dakota State Democratic Central Committee passed a resolution endorsing a Democratic ticket of Truman and Mrs. Roosevelt, but she later denied ever considering the job, saying, “The simple truth is that I have had my fill of public life of the more or less stereotyped kind.” The spot eventually went to 71-year-old Alben Barkley, who was an energetic and rousing speaker despite being the oldest VP. Barkley was armed with an endless supply of folksy quips like this one: “A good story is like fine Kentucky bourbon. It improves with age and, if you don’t use it too much, it will never hurt anyone.”